Since 1938 schools, offices and homes around the world have used the Ballpoint pen with the majority being made by BiC who first patented the device all those years ago. In the current economic climate we can't forget that cutting costs on everyday items musn't be overlooked. So take a look at the difference in price between some of the leading online stationery suppliers.

We've done a quick comparison on BiC Ballpoint pens, and some competitors and the cheapest price we could find is Integrated Office Supplies who are selling a Pack of 50 - White Box Pack of 50 Ball Point Pens for £1.20. That's only 0.2p per pen! As you can see below that's 74% cheaper than Euroffice and represents a saving of £11.61 (91%)when compared to the BiC Ballpoint originals.

BiC Cristal Medium Black [Pack of 50] - RRP - £12.81

• Amazon - Bic Cristal Ball Pen Clear Barrel 1.0mm Tip 0.3mm Line Black Ref 837363 [Pack 50] - £5.40 (inc VAT)
• Caboodle - BIC BALL POINT PEN MEDIUM BLACK BOX 50 837363 - £6.10
• Euroffice - BiC Cristal Ball Pen Black [Pack of 50] - £6.69
  
• Viking Direct - Bic Cristal Pens Medium Point Black 50pk - £7.39
  
• Staples - Bic Cristal Medium Black Ballpoint Pens, 50 Pack - £7.99
• eBay - BIC Cristal Ballpoint Pen Medium Black (Pack of 50) - £6.99
• UK Office Online - Bic Cristal Ball Pen Medium Point 0.4mm Black Ref 837363 [Pack 50] - £7.29

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Fortunately for us the patent has expired and there's a wide range of other companies producing these at great prices. As Post-it is trade marked you'll need to search for "sticky notes" or "repositionable notes" at your favoured office stationery supplier.

We've done a quick comparison of branded and unbranded sticky notes 76x76mm (3 x 3 inch) and the cheapest price we could find was with Integrated Office Solutions who are selling a pack of 12 Q Connect Quick Notes at £1.56. That's only 13p per pad! As you can see below that's 72% cheaper than Euroffice and represents a saving of £6.93 (82%) when compared to the 3M Post-it originals.

5 Star (Spicers) - Product Code 296638 RRP £13.43

Google search for 5 star 296638 

• UK Office Direct - 5 Star Office Re-Move Notes Repositionable Pad of 100 Sheets 76x76mm Yellow [Pack 12] - £2.59
• Office 365 - 5 Star Office Re-Move Notes Repositionable Pad of 100 Sheets 76x76mm Yellow [Pack 12] - £2.02
• Euroffice - 5 Star Re-Move Notes 76x76mm Yellow [Pack 12 ] - £5.49
• IndexOffice - 5 Star Office Re-Move Notes Repositionable Pad of 100 Sheets 76x76mm Yellow (Pack 12) - £1.99

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Q Connect (Kingfield) - Product Code KF10502 - RRP £12.79

Google search for KF10502 

• IOS - Q Connect Quick Note Repositionable Pad 75x75mm Yellow KF10502 - £1.56
• OfficeGiant - Q Connect QuickNote 75x75mm Ylw - KF10502 - £5.99
• PaperPlus - Q Connect Quick Note Repositionable Pad 75x75mm Yellow KF10502 - £1.73
• MonkeyOffice - Q CONNECT QUICK STICKY NOTE 75 X 75MM YELLOW - £1.64
• eBay £3.99

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Other

• Viking Direct - Office Depot Notes - Yellow - 76 x 76mm - 12 Pads - £5.49
• Staples - Staples Stickies Yellow Sticky Notes - 75 x 75mm - 4 Pack - £3.79 (couldn't find any 12 packs apart from multicoloured)

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Post-it Originals

Google search for Post-it 654 

• Viking Direct - Post-it® Canary™ Yellow Notes (76mmx76mm) 12 pads per pack - £8.49

Prices correct as of midday Tuesday 13 January, 2009.

Happy sticking!